Yongho KIM Pian 2011-001 2011 164×96. Image courtesy ISKA ART
- A Soldier’s Tale exhibition at Asia House, 8–20 July 2013
- Inspired by tales of British soldiers who fought in the Korean War
- Commemorates the 60th Anniversary of the Ceasefire of the Korean War
- Marks the 130th anniversary of UK-Korea Diplomatic Relations
- Organised by ISKAI Art and curated by Stephanie Seungmin Kim
- Exhibition to be opened by BBC broadcaster Mishal Husain
Curzon PR has signed to support the exhibition A Soldier’s Tale, to be held from 8-20 July 2013 at London’s prestigious Asia House. Curzon PR will handle media relations.
Commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Korean War ceasefire and coinciding with the 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the UK and Korea, A Soldier’s Tale celebrates the exchanges and close ties between the UK and Korea, inspired by the stories of British soldiers; real and tragic yet dramatically inspiring. It is not a manifesto of political views or ideological endorsements but rather, a journey of courage, brotherhood, despair and human endurance. The Korean War, often called ‘The Forgotten War’, represented one of the bloodiest episodes in 20th century military history. Troops from over 20 nations fought bitterly for three years, which, after four million civilian and military casualties, ultimately ended in a stalemate. Says BBC broadcaster and keynote speaker Mishal Husain, “The legacy of the Korean War is still keenly felt on the Korean Peninsula and across Asia. This exhibition is a unique visual way of exploring the aftermath of the conflict.”
Comments MP Choung Byoung-gug, Former Korean Minster for Culture, Sports and Tourism: “Nothing that can be said in words will ever fully express the gratitude that we hold to the veterans of the Korean War and so instead I would simply like to reaffirm our promise never to forget. Each new generation will know of the sacrifices, the cold and the hardships that were felt by those young men in our name, those kind young strangers who came to Korea…. [These veterans] will tell me that ‘they were just doing their job’ and I hope that everyone who comes to this exhibition realises how hard and how so very important that job was.”
Curator Stephanie Seungmin Kim: “This year we celebrate 130 years of diplomatic relations between the UK and Korea. Now seems the perfect time to cherish this relationship. Few know that the UK sent the second largest contingency of troops to the Korean War. This exhibition presents the sacrifice, bravery and courage of British Korean War Veterans. It tells the tales of individuals who have shaped history and how artists can engage with the world we live in.”
Adds Farzana Baduel, MD, Curzon PR: “Art is an effective platform for bridging different cultures and building stronger ties and promoting dialogue. I am looking forward to working on this unique exhibition commemorating this important anniversary of the relationship between the UK and Korea.”
Notes to Editors
About ISKAI Art
Based in London, but working across Asia and Europe, ISKAI Contemporary Art commissions and produces unique public art projects by outstanding contemporary artists. ISKAI collaborates with various institutions to bridge different cultures, arts and dialogues, specialising in trans-cultural activities promoting Contemporary artists of Asia in Europe. ISKAI combines artistic advice, curatorial service and project management to form a comprehensive consultation for public and private sector organisations seeking to commission works of art or develop collections of contemporary art and design. ISKAI works with artists, policy makers and implementers within the public and private sectors. They carry out research, support events, deliver training, and commission new writings as well as publications. For more information, visit www.iskaiart.com
About Stephanie Seungmin Kim, Director ISKAI Contemporary Art
Stephanie Seungmin Kim is a curator based in London. From 2007 to 2011, Kim was the main curator and founder member of the Korean Cultural Centre UK. During her tenure she curated and managed over 40 exhibitions including the Liverpool Biennial 2010’s City States Media Landscape, and Earth Alert: Photographic Responses to Climate Change which was a touring exhibition with thirteen international photographers (visiting London, Seoul and a part to Copenhagen). Founding ISKAI Contemporary Art in 2011, she divides her time between Asia and Europe.
About Asia House
Asia house, the leading pan-Asian organisation in the UK, exists to build dynamic links with Asia. By providing unique insights into culture, policy, business and education, Asia House promotes informed understanding and the mutual exchange of ideas, building stronger relationships between the diverse communities of Europe and Asia. Asia House runs public events programmes in the arts and culture, business, economics, policy and politics covering 40 countries form the Persian Gulf to the Pacific. Highlights of the annual programme include the Pan-Asia Film Festival in March, the Festival of Asian Literature in May and the Asian Business Leaders Summit in October. Historical and Contemporary art from Asia is displayed in a varied exhibitions programme running throughout the year. Asia House is a non-profit, non-political organisation. Asia House received the Charity Finance Award for Arts, Culture & Heritage in 2005. For more information, visit www.asiahouse.org
About The Korean War
The Korean War (25 June 1950 – 27 July 1953) was a war between the Republic of Korea (South Korea), supported by the United Nations, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), at one time supported by the People’s Republic of China and the Soviet Union. It was primarily the result of the political division of Korea by an agreement of the victorious Allies at the conclusion of the Pacific War at the end of World War II. The Korean Peninsula was ruled by the Empire of Japan from 1910 until the end of World War II. Following the surrender of the Empire of Japan in September 1945, American administrators divided the peninsula along the 38th parallel, with U.S. military forces occupying the southern half and Soviet military forces occupying the northern half. The failure to hold free elections throughout the Korean Peninsula in 1948 deepened the division between the two sides; the North established a communist government, while the South established a right-wing government. The 38th parallel increasingly became a political border between the two Korean states. Although reunification negotiations continued in the months preceding the war, tension intensified. Cross-border skirmishes and raids at the 38th Parallel persisted. The situation escalated into open warfare when North Korean forces invaded South Korea on 25 June 1950. In 1950, the Soviet Union boycotted the United Nations Security Council, in protest at representation of China by the Kuomintang/Republic of China government, which had taken refuge in Taiwan following defeat in the Chinese Civil War. In the absence of a dissenting voice from the Soviet Union, who had the power to veto it, the United States and other countries passed a Security Council resolution authorising military intervention in Korea.
For further information, please contact neha@curzonpr.com or call +44 0203 582 7324
